Method of making waterproof strands



Sept. 5, 1944.

A. I. clobmo METHOD OF MAKING WATERPROOF STRANDS Filed June 16, 1941 v INVENTOR- I ANTH Y 1. CIDON/O f ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 5, 1944 UNITED 's'rA'nazs PATENT OFFICE, m

METHOD OF- MAKING WATERPROOF STRANDS Anthony I. Cidonio, San Bruno, Calif., assignor to Schor Manufacturing 00.,

San Francisco,

Calif., a corporation of California Application June 16, 1941, Serial No. 398,305

6 Claims.

My invention relates to an article of the type generally known as gut, such as used for fishing leaders.

It is among the objects of my inventionto provide an improved method of producing a. superior article of the character described, adapted for rapid production at less cost.

Other objects include the provision of a gutstood that I do not limit myself to this disclosure of species of my invention, as I may adopt variant embodiments thereof within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawing:

The figure of the drawing is a diagrammatic view of apparatus illustrating my. process.

In terms of broad inclusion, my article comprises a body of filaments treated with certain solutions to sensitize the filaments and to impregnate and coat them with an improved binder. The method comprises forming a body of filaments, preferably grouped in a plurality of strands, and treating it with a solution for cleaning out the pores in the filaments. The body or string is then treated with a second solution containing a colloidal material and a plasticizer to impregnate and sensitize the filaments. After exposing the string thus treated to the air, it is treated with a third solution con taining an agent for effecting polarization of the colloid particles. Thereafter it is treated in a fourth solution containing an agent for effectin further polarization and fixation. The string is then preferably treated with fifth and sixth solutions similar to the two last mentioned for further cure. Finally the string is twisted and put on a rack to dry.

In greater detail, and referring to the drawing, I start my process with a plurality of strands or threads ll each composed of a multiplicity of fine filaments doubled to a specific consist-* ency of about 120 to 215 deniers, 180 deniers being preferred. A denier is the consistency of a thread weighing 1 miligram per 9-meters of length. I preferably use fibroin filaments. Fibroin is the core portion of silk, comprising the digested mulberry leaves, and is prepared in substantially pure form at the silk house by boiling off the impurities in neats-foot oil. Chemically, fibroin is a carbohydrate having the formula C15H23N5Os. While fibroin is preferred, it is understood that other filaments, particularly carbohydrates of this general character, may be employed. For examp1e,'cotton or flax filaments I could be used.

The strands II are drawn from freely journaled supply rolls l2, and are then directed into parallelism by suitable means including guide pulleys l3 one of which is shown. These parallel strands thus grouped form a body or string H which comprises the foundation of my improved article. The number of strands employed may be varied within wide limits, depending upon the strength desired. I use eight strands in making a 10 pound test leader. For purposes of simplicity four strands are shown. During treatment, string is maintained under a tension purities not removed by the boiling off treatof about .025 to 1.25 pounds, .125 pound being preferred. It travels at a rate of from about 16 to 25 feet per minute. A speed of 20 feet per minute is found best in most cases.

Treatment of the fibroin string includes subjecting it to a series of six solutions which will be referred to as solution 1, solution 2, etc. These solutions are retained in tanks I6, the first two of which are adjacent and the last four of which are grouped together at some distance from the first two. String I4 is guided over grooved rollers I! at the tank edges and submerged by emersion rollers l8 mounted on suitable arms so that they may be withdrawn for threading the string and for cleaning purposes. These rollers are all positively driven to advance the string at the desired rate through the solutions.

Solution- 1 functions primarily as a cleaning bath to remove impurities from the pores of the fibroin filaments. Underthe microscope it is seen that the filaments contain a multiplicity of minute cores which are clogged with imment at the silk house. The cleaning solution contains a detergent, preferably an alkali metal salt, such as sodium sulphate or sodium chloride.

In order to prevent deposit of the salt on the and formic acids, or a mineral acid such as sulphuric may be used. In the latter case a The solution is preferably maintained at a temperature of 100 to 130 F., about 115 being preferred. At the rate of travel designated, the

particularly to the plasticizing agent; diethylene glycol being preferred over glycerine as a plasticizer because it is less hygroscopic. The solution is maintained at a temperature of 80 to 110 F., about 95 being preferred.

From solution 2 the coated string is exposed to the atmosphere for arun of about 30 feet at a room temperature of about 65 to 75 F, with a relative humidity of say 30 to 60. At the rate of travel indicated this provides an exposure of string is exposed to the solution for about 3 15 seconds, but this time is not critical.

The preferred composition of solution 1, in which the percentages are by weight, is as follows:

Per cent Water 89 to 66 Sodium sulphate 2 to. 7 Acetic acid (glacial) to 12 Diethylene glycol 4 to An alternate solution is:

Per cent Water 86 to '72 Sodium sulphate 10 to Acetic acid (glacial) 3 to 5 Formic acid (90%) 1 to 3 Another alternate solution is:

. Per cent Water 83 to 66, Sodium sulphate 10 to 20 Sulphuric acid (66 B.) 2 to 4 Sodium bisulphate 5 to 10 Solution 2 functions primarily to impregnate and coat the filaments of the string. It contains a colloidal material, preferably a protein colloid; and preferably glutinous in character. My first choice is partially refined animal glue, known as gelatin glue. Casein glue may also be employed. Other colloidal materials, such as gum arabie or bassorin (refined gum tragacanth) may be'used. Albumen is also preferably incorporated in the solution to add protein content. The fact that albumen is an irreversible colloid is desirable. A plasticizer, preferably diethylene glycol, is further included in the solution.

The preferred composition of solution 2 is:

about 1 minute 30 seconds, although that time is not. critical. The strands of the string are then compressed into cylindrical shape and excess coating material is removed by passage through an apertured rotor in a block I9. The rotor aperture is flared at both ends and has a central restricted throat having a diameter about twice the dry size of the leader being made. This rotor puts a partial twist in the string, which tends to compact the strands and form them into a true cylinder, and also scrapes and spins off the excess coating material.

String It then passes through solution 3 containing an agent which functions to effect first degree polarization of the 'colloidal material, causing orientation and condensing or compacting of the ionized colloid particles. Potassium chromium sulphate is the preferred agent. Other salts such as potassium chloride and chromium chloride may be used. The chromium salts are preferred because they react with the formaldehyde later used to give the desired color for a leader.

The preferred composition of solution 3 is:

Per cent Water 9'7 to '74 Chromium potassium sulphate 3 to 26 The string then passes through solution 4 containing an agent for efi'ecting further polarization and fixation of the colloid particles. Formaldehyde is thepreferred agent because .it also reacts with the potassium chromium sulphate to impart a non-fading pigment of azure-blue color ideal for a leader. Potassium dichromate may be used as a fixing agent but the color imparted is not so good for fishing leader purposes.

The preferred composition of solution 4 is:

Per cent Water 80 to 98 Formaldehyde 20 to 2 In order to further cure the impregnating and Water gag coating material, the string is preferably treated -5 1;? T 35 to 50 with two additional solutions 5 and 6 similar to Albumen" 20 to 2 those last mentioned. BIIIIIIIIIIL 15 to 3 The preferred composition of solution 5 is:

I I 7 Per cent An alternate solution is. Per cent water 95 to 87 water 20 to 30 Chromium potassium sulphate 5 to 13 Gelatin glue 20 to 5 The preferred composition of solution 6 is: Albumen 35 to 15 Per cent Glycerine 25 to 20 Water 95 to 90 While I refer to this treating bath as a solution Formaldehyde 5 to 10 along with the others for the sake of a common term, it is not a true solution but a colloidal dispersion. As the string passes through it the filaments are impregnated and coated with the colloidal material; and, since the microscopic pores were previously cleaned out, the treating material effectively permeates and saturates the individual filaments as well as coating them and the strands as a whole. Here again the solution also functions to modify or sensitize the flbroin itself, due

ing of the string through the apparatus is stopped and the string is cut adjacent block 2|; where-. upon the carriage is returned to twista new' length. If desired, a fixed twisting head may be provided in place of the carriage, so that the string is twisted as it passes through the hea thus making the process continuous.

The twisted product is then placed on a rack at room temperature to dry for a period of about 1 hours. If desired, the leaders may be polished with sand paper and given a sheen with oil.

The gut-like product thus produced is'an excellent fishing leader. It is materially stronger under both wet and dry tests than ordinary leaders','and is uniform in strength and elongation throughout its length. It is very flexible under all ordinary temperatures; may be knotted with minimum loss of tensile strength; and is exceedingly water repellent. The product has marked transparency, and possesses a non-fading azureblue color that is ideal for a fishing leader, making it substantially invisible in the water.v Furthermore, the product retains its desirable characteristics over a long period. I

While my product is an excellent fishing leade it is to be understood that it may be used for any purpose where gut-like materials are employed. Strings for playing rackets, and surgical sutures are a few of such uses.

.1 claim:

1. The method of making an article whichcomprises forming a body of fibroin filaments cleansed by treatment with a detergent, impregr nating the filaments with a protein colloidal material, partially drying the impregnated filaments, treating the body with a solution of a,

polarizing salt, then treating it with a solution containing a substance in the class consisting of formaldehyde and potassium dichromate, and then repeating the two treatments last mentioned. p

2. The method of making an article which comprises forming a body of fibroin filaments, treating the filaments with a detergent in the presence oi. a plasticizer, impregnating the filaments with a protein colloidal material, partially Solution 1 Per cent Water 89 to 66 Sodium sulphate 2 to 7 Acetic acid 5 to 12' Diethylene glycol 4,to 15 V Solution 2 Water so to Gelatin glue 35 to Albumen 20to 2 Diethylene glycol 15to 3 Solution 3 Water 9'7 to 74 Chromium potassium sulphate 3 to 26 Solution 4 Water 80 to 98 Formaldehyde 20to 2 Solution 5 7 Water 95 to 87 Chromium potassium sulphate 5 to 13 A Solution 6 Water 95 to so Formaldehyde 5 to 10 sistingof formaldehyde and potassium dichromate.

4. The method of making an article which comprises forming a body of fibroin filaments and then successively treating the body with the fol lowing solutions: I I Solution 1, containing a detergent Solution 2, containing a protein colloidal material Solution 3, of a polarizing salt Solution 4, containing a substance in the class consisting of formaldehyde and potassium dichromate.

5; The method of making an article which comprises forming a, body of fibroin filaments, and'then successively treating the body with the following solutions containing ingredients in proportions by weight of: J

6. The method of making fishing leaders which comprises grouping a plurality of fibroin filaments, treating the filaments with a detergent in the presence of a plasticizer, impregnating the filaments with a protein colloidal material, treating the impregnated filaments with a solution ing the filaments with a solution of formaldehyde for efiecting further polarization and fixation of the colloidal material, and twisting the treated filaments.

ANTHONY I. CIDON'IO. 

